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Morneau swings on practice field, ready for opener

First baseman Justin Morneau talks about the makeup of the Twins' roster, which contains big bats and a new pitching rotation

By Jim Hawkins
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Special to MLB.com |

FORT MYERS, Fla -- Justin Morneau, who missed the final three games of Spring Training because of stiffness in his back, took "four or five at-bats" on a practice field under the watchful eye of Twins general manager Terry Ryan Saturday morning and was pronounced ready for Opening Day.

"He's fine," Ryan said. "He just did that to make sure. I watched him swing and he didn't have any problems."

Morneau was not in the lineup Saturday, and with the temperature in Minneapolis expected to hover around the freezing mark on Monday, Morneau's stiff back was cause for some concern.